Imagine a carousel spinning at Canalside, offering smiles and memories this summer. That was supposed to a reality right now, but like many things, the pandemic has set a new timeline.

"Every time we are working so hard and we set a date, we get another setback," said Helen Ronan, Buffalo Heritage Carousel's treasurer.

To say restoring a 1924 De Angelis Menagerie Carousel has been easy is an understatement.

"It’s just pure passion," Ronan said.  

For the 17 volunteers with the Buffalo Heritage Carousel, the three year journey has truly been a labor of love. If you recall, the ride was sitting underneath a home in Massachusetts for decades.

"None of us take this lightly," Ronan said.

Most of the 34 animals are done and ready for rides. Now, focus turns to the rounding board. There are 14 pieces that will be painted representing scenes from across Western New York.

Three volunteers at a time will work to bring life to the panels. First, they create watercolor paintings they will work from. Then the delicate days-long task of painting begins.

"The paintings will only go in the middle section, and then we do varnishing from there," Ronan explained. "We tend to paint it all, get it all done and in order, then go back and do touch ups if need be."

It’s not just as simple as painting, either. Ronan explains they have to make sure the murals are on the right panels in order to tell a story. Plus, they have to make sure the color scheme is all the same. Volunteers hope to do their final brush strokes by December. But of course, that depends on COVID-19. No matter what, they too, will keep going round and round.

"All of us, every volunteer I have wants to get on this carousel and ride it," Ronan smiled.

And as they say, good things come to those who wait, the Buffalo Heritage Carousel is expected to be up and running at Canalside in May.